Restaurant Revitalization Fund

page updated: April 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Follow the link below for more information on how to apply:

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund

Gathering Capacity

page updated: March 2021

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated two of its epidemic orders, allowing increased capacity limits and extended curfews at various venues, including restaurants and bars. Starting Friday, March 5, Michigan restaurants and bars will be able to operate at 50 percent of capacity, up from 25 percent, with a maximum of 100 people. The current 10 p.m. curfew will be moved back to 11 p.m. for dine-in service. The state also will now allow up to 15 people from three different households on indoor gatherings at private residences, while retail stores will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity.

For more information and details, visit:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98158-553395–,00.html?mkt_tok=MzMxLVhSVy0zODcAAAF7lAkCo56eeIRLPn3ai3kixiD2tHV0uf7fmGRkzAnbXdxMfGKRhZvJMsNADgIxF2Bati9Mbrw-rCjUgvNz2MEFqGz4Jbty6AsutkkJ_7dk

Aspirus Vaccine Information

page updated: January, 2021

Michigan expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility

UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Wednesday announced at a press conference that the state was expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. This means that those deemed “frontline essential workers” and community members age 65 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine from health care providers, effective Monday, January 11.

These groups are part of Phase 1B of the vaccination priority grouping. The vaccine has previously been reserved for use within the Phase 1A group of health care workers.

“We are excited about the announcement and are eager to begin offering the vaccine to some of our community members,” said Jessica Bessner, PharmD, director of regional pharmacy for Aspirus in the U.P. “This is the latest milestone that hopefully brings us closer to the end of the pandemic.”

Essential workers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, such as teachers and correction workers, are being asked to go through their local health departments to receive their vaccine. Community members age 65+ will be able to receive their vaccine through Aspirus. For this group, appointments can begin to be scheduled at Aspirus clinic locations in the U.P. starting January 11 by calling 844-568-0701.

Vaccine supply and guidance remains fluid, and vaccinations are being provided through Aspirus by invite or appointment only. No walk-in vaccination clinics are planned at this time.

Aspirus began vaccinating its employees on December 17 at its U.P. locations and has since vaccinated 548 staff members. It also has been vaccinating emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and independent clinical providers over the past two weeks.

Click here for more information on vaccination prioritization in Michigan.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/MI_COVID-19_Vaccination_Prioritization_Guidance_710349_7.pdf

Aspirus is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin. Its 8,700 employees are focused on improving the health and well-being of people throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Aspirus serves communities through four hospitals in Michigan and six hospitals in Wisconsin, 50 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes and a broad network of physicians. Aspirus has been recognized for three consecutive years by IBM Watson Health as a Top 15 Health System in its annual study identifying the top-performing health systems in the country. For more information, visit aspirus.org.

General COVID-19 Information

World Health Organization

Centers for Disease Control

The State of Michigan

From Michigan Senator Gary Peters

The Senator’s Coronavirus Web Page

Other Resources and Information

Managing Anxiety During COVID-19 Outbreak

How Can You Support Our Local Businesses?

Carry Out a Meal from a Local Restaurant
With the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-9, our local dining rooms are currently shut down. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck – you, your family and your co-workers can still enjoy some great meals and even try something new! Support our local eateries by picking up lunch or dinner or have a warm meal delivered to you. The chart linked here lets you know who is doing what – now go out there and keep those local dollars flowing and enjoy some great cuisine at the same time!

Purchase a Gift Card
Purchase a gift card now to use later! This will give the business cash flow that they can use to support themselves while their doors are shut or business has severely slowed down. You can also give the gift card to a family member or friend in need to help them out as well. Pay it forward!

Interact on Social Media
Like the Instagram post, comment on that live stream, share a special deal they have going on. It is the simplest thing and doesn’t cost you a dime to help spread the word about a local small business. When you like, comment and share their posts, they are more likely to reach new customers. Simply commenting on a post using a few words and some emojis encourages the social media algorithms to favor that post and display it to more people!

Leave a Good Review on Yelp, TripAdvisor or Google
Did you have a really great experience with the owner or an employee the last time you were at your favorite store, watering hole or restaurant? Share that story. Those good stories are read by potential customers and can lead to more business – important now before the summer tourist season. Your good review today can help that restaurant get a new customer from a first-time visitor this summer.

Start That Home Project You’ve Been Putting Off
We all have a long list of things we’ve been meaning to get to around the house. Now’s the time to get the project going. Shop local to pick up your supplies (Bigari’s, Crystal Lumber & Hardware, Forslund Building Supply, Slivensky Hardware and Lumber) and get to work. If you’ve got kids at home, it’s a perfect time to show them how to swing a hammer or use a drill. Let’s get ‘er done!

Get Your Car Serviced
Stop by a local shop to get your oil changed or get that slow leak in your right rear tire fixed. Your car will thank you and so will your mechanic.

Have any other ideas on how we can help support our amazing local businesses? Let us know! Our contact info is at the bottom of the page.

Tips for Working From Home

Many of us are now working from home – maybe even for the first time. It can be challenging managing the anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, your work duties and your whole family sheltering-in-place. Just know that you are not alone, and a sense of humor and some flexibility will be your best allies. Below are some tips, ideas and information sources to help you be a productive (and sane) stay-at-home worker:

Making The Most Out of Working From Home

If you have any ideas or suggestions of how to succeed as a remote worker, let us know! Our contact information is below.

Learn and Explore Online When Sheltering in Place

If you are homebound, working remotely, home with your kids while school is closed or simply choosing to shelter-in-place, there are so many options to stay engaged and even learn more things.

We are all aware of the term “Social Distancing,” to help us keep safe by keeping at least six feet apart. Maybe it’s time to rethink that term as “Physical Distancing” while we remain socially connected. Get on the phone to friends and family, have a FaceTime, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger or Google Hangout party this weekend – stay social and connected, even if you are staying home!

Below are some ideas to help you make the most of your time at home:

Learn Something Online

Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Appreciate Some Amazing Art

Learn Some Fascinating History

Attend a Virtual Concert

Other Projects and Information

If you have any ideas or suggestions of other great activities, experiences or things to learn, let us know! Our contact information is below.

Community Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak

page updated: November, 2020

The Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance is focused on supporting all businesses within Iron County, particularly as they navigate the weeks and months ahead. COVID-19 will continue to have an impact on our community, and the ICECA’s primary focus is on how we can support and inform our local businesses and the community-at-large during this challenging time.

As a community member, you have a unique opportunity to step up and help our local businesses weather this outbreak. Whenever possible, keep your dollars local – that matters now more than ever. Order take out from a new restaurant. Buy gift cards now to use later (or gift to your family and friends now). If you can’t get out, there are local volunteers to help you get the goods and services you need.

This page will provide the latest information for Iron County community members and we’ll be updating it daily (click this link to see our business resource page). Below you’ll find:

General Information and Resources Relating to the COVID-19 outbreak
Ideas on how your and your family can support our local businesses
Ideas to avoid going stir-crazy while Sheltering in Place

Iron County is a wonderful, supportive community and together, we will get through this healthy, safe and with an eye to the future (it IS finally Spring after all!). Stay safe out there.

If you have specific challenges or ideas on how we may better support our business community, please let us know – our contact information is below.